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Search forSincerity and charm no budget could buy
Sunday, November 16, 2008, 16:06
The narrative starts with the Babes, Jack and Jill, being sent to live in the village of Chubby in the Moor with their uncle, the Baron Hateallkids, while their father is away at the Crusades.
Robin Hood is also travelling there to visit his Granny, along with Will Scarlett. The villains' skullduggery is, however, thwarted at every stage by Robin, the good Fairy Fairplay and the incompetence of henchmen Touch and Gough, supplied to the Baron by Demon Discontent.
All the traditional ingredients are here alongside surprise appearances from Harry Potter, Hannibal Jones and Jedi warriors and the hard-worked chorus and dancers speedily switch from St Trinian's girls to robins, schoolchildren or fairies.
The sets are simple but effective, and the team of wardrobe mistresses merit especial congratulations on an array of costumes that would grace many a professional production.
Comedy is spread between several roles, including Simple Simon (Sally Palmer), Dame Besogood (Richard Vincent) and Touch and Gough (Paul Rugman and Barry Sanigar), the last two making up a quartet of baddies with Baron Hateallkids (Richard White) and the hissable Demon Discontent (Chris Rowland).
Our heroes Robin Hood and Will Scarlet are Sam Burgess and Sue Brockwell, both slapping thighs as to the manner born, and romantically linked with Maid Marion (Jessica Collins) and her maid Millie (Nicola Skelley). Emma Harvey is the good Fairy and Amy Freegard and Bethany Palmer are delightful as the endangered Babes.
Truth to tell, the opening performance indicated the need for more rehearsal, but things will be sure to steady down as the run progresses. It may not boast high production values, but the show has a sincerity and warmth that no budget can buy.
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IN DAYS OF OLD: (above left) Dame Besogood (Richard Vincent) and her St Trinian's girl. Above: The costumes would grace many a professional prodution. Left: Robin (Sally Palmer) and Maid Marion (Jessica Collins)
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